Process & Bio
My work includes painted jewelry and small artwork, including dollhouse scale (1:12) paintings. They are painted under magnification, using a variety of very small brushes. The wearable work is painted in acrylic and/or ink on wood panel, with backgrounds sometimes gilded with 22k gold leaf. I’m currently also working in gouache and watercolor.
My inspiration comes from Renaissance painting, decorative art, illumination and Indo-Persian miniature painting. I’m drawn to details in nature and art, placing these little “gems” as the focal point in my jewelry. My goal is to achieve the finest detail and most delicate brushstroke I possibly can — notwithstanding my love of caffeine and ever-increasing magnification needs. Working very slowly and with great care are what I enjoy most. There is always much more to learn and many techniques I’d like to try.
After receiving my BFA at the University of California, Santa Cruz, I studied fashion design at Parsons in NYC. While in NYC, I learned sign lettering, decorative painting and gilding. The painted jewelry business came about by merging my interests: miniatures, gilding, fashion and Renaissance art. In 2020, I began studying illumination and Indo-Persian miniature painting techniques.
Since 1993, I’ve exhibited my work at fine craft shows, miniature shows and in shops and galleries (see below.) My work is now only available online and in a few select galleries.
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Education:
1985 BFA University of California, Santa Cruz
1990 Parsons School of Design, New York, Fashion Design
More Recent Fine Craft Shows:
American Craft Council Pop-up Online Marketplace, 2022, 2023
Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, DC 2014 - 2018
Smithsonian Craft2Wear 2016 - 2019
Smithsonian Craft Optimism 2021
American Craft Council Show, Baltimore 2010 - 2019
American Craft Council Show, San Francisco 2010 - 2019
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show 2011, 2013, 2021
American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL 2009, 2012, 2015
Solo Shows:
2003 Jewelry Showcase, Bellagio, Asheville
2001 Inner Landscapes, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley
2000 Pictorial Jewelry, Sybaris Gallery, Royal Oak, MI
1999 Left Bank Gallery, Wellfleet, MA
Group Shows:
2017 Miniature Masterworks, Toy and Miniature Museum, Kansas City
2014 Small Scale, Big Ideas, Jane Sauer Gallery, Santa Fe
2014 True to Nature, River Gallery, Chattanooga
2011 Specimens, Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, OH
2010 Juju Magic, Facere Gallery, Seattle
2008 The Pendant Show, Velvet da Vinci, San Francisco
2007 Art Jewelry Invitational, Cervini Haas Gallery, Scottsdale
2007 No Small Feat, River Gallery, Chattanooga 2005 Natural Views, River Gallery, Chattanooga
2005 Nature Cherished, John Michael Koehler Arts Center, Sheboygan
2003 Small Perspectives, River Gallery, Chattanooga
1999 Shadow of Memory, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley
1998 The New Renaissance, Gayle Wilson Gallery, Southampton
1997 Small Works, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
1996 Winter Light, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
Awards:
Best in Show, Smithsonian Craft Show 2015
Award of Excellence, Bellevue Art Museum Artsfair 2013
Excellence Award, American Craft Exposition 2006
Best New Artist, American Craft Exposition 2002
Collections:
KSB Miniatures Collection, Kentucky Gateway Museum
Ham House, 2016, private collection, Mulvany & Rogers
Publications:
Lover’s Eyes, Elle Shushan, Giles Ltd. 2021
Craft Council show features charms for Charm City, Baltimore Sun, February 2014
Narrative illusion: Jewelry from painting, Metalsmith, Spring 2012
2011 IGMA Show, Miniature Collector, January 2012
Sheds in miniature, Debra Prinzing, November 2010
DesignCraft Heroine, Handful of Salt, October 2010
There's art in their crafts, Oakland Tribune, August 7, 2010
A.Word.A.Day, Wordsmith.org, March 2009
Ври Больше, Architectural Digest Russia, June 2008
Intimate Art, Vermont's Independent Voice, June 2008
500 Pendants & Lockets, Lark Books, New York, 2008
Art Across The Bay, Diablo Magazine, August 2007
Lapidary Journal, September 2006
Artist's Workshop: Renaissance Woman, Home Companion, October-November 2005
Where & When, Washingtonian, April 2003
Jewelry in the Realm of Art, Washington Post, April 24, 2001
American Craft, August-September 2000
Christina Goodman: A Wearable Art, by Chiori Santiago, Ornament, Summer 1999
Enterprising Women, Victoria Magazine, August 1998